TRADERS in Goldhawk Road have been slapped with Compulsory Purchase Orders as developers move in on Shepherd's Bush Market.

Thirteen shops face the wrecking ball to make space for a redeveloped market but the traders are continuing to fight their case and are heading back to the High Court in October in an attempt to get the project thrown out.

Developer Orion says it put in the CPOs because the traders refused to accept its offer of new, bigger replacement units within the new development. But the shops insists they have never received any offer in writing.

Audrey Boughton of Cooke's Pie and Mash said: "They make all these wonderful, far-reaching statements but as far as we are concerned it is all worthless because nothing has ever been put to us in writing."

Orion is adamant the traders are getting a good deal. It says the new units would be taller from floor-to-ceiling and provide greater storage space, while it has pledged to offer assistance to find temporary units nearby during the development.

But the traders own their own freeholds which they would lose in the deal. "We cannot get like-for-like terms - Orion have already admitted that," said Mrs Bougton.

She says the shops are now funding specialist CPO lawyers to look at their case and hope to secure a public enquiry into the planning permission at the High Court later this year.

Nick Botterill, leader of the council, defended the CPOs and again insisted the traders are getting a good deal.

He said: "For more than a decade, traders and customers have been complaining the market has been allowed to decline because of a lack of investment. The council has a duty to local people to start these proceedings to prevent further delays to a scheme that will increase retail expenditure by more than £3million a year.

"The Goldhawk Road businesses have been offered a good deal by the developer, including the chance to return to new, larger shop units on the Goldhawk Road. That offer is still on the table and this CPO process is a last resort to stop this crucial scheme from protracted hold-ups."

A council spokesman insisted traders had 'refused to enter into negotiations' - branded a 'lie' by Mrs Boughton.

Orion, who will build 200 new flats as part of the scheme, could not be contacted for comment.